We've already covered the close-but-not-quite angle when looking at Alabama in big games this season, so this week we'll focus on something else.

Like the Crimson Tide running game.

After back-to-back 100-yard games from Kenneth Darby, it appeared as if the Alabama ground game might be poised for a strong finish to the 2006 season. While there was hope, going as far to describe it as outright confidence would be stretching things.